May 2.

  The ag course came to an end, and Billy had learned several lessons that would aid his future career as an actor. His performance of the monologue of the nostalgiight going to an unwanted war had beeed to a retively rge audie had been loaded with hours of practi Billy's part, and he had trained enough tnize his imperfes.

  The elegant blue chairs of the San Jose Uy theater slowly emptied as the ag event cluded. Only a handful of groups remained, chatting and waiting for something. The red curtain was once again drawn up with two thick bck ropes, just as the attendants did after each performance.

  The wooden floor would be swept, waxed, and ed the following m.

  Billy had worked as hard as he could. With the guidance of his teachers in improvisational ag and dramatic ag courses, he had gathered some tools that would help him in his budding ag career.

  He felt nervous as he had just pleted the ag course. There was still a void in his heart because he wasirely satisfied with his ag abilities. The work he had done had left a mark deep in his soul, for ag was what he o fulfill some of his future projects.

  Leaving the studio, the medieval knight e had been touched up by a e shop and a seamstress who charged him 100 for making some minor adjustments to the outfit. Billy opehe door to the men's restroom, headed towards the main stage where he had retly performed his role and spotted his thin-waisted teacher, Susaight-fitting shirt only atuated her waistline, reag just above her navel.

  She smiled as soon as she saw him and approached with a dancer's graceful stride, her back perfectly straight and a firm step.

  -Billy, your performance was truly outstanding. I think you could take on a role in the py we're w on, with a small pany, - the teacher said.

  -That sounds fantastic, but I'm afraid I 't it to any es, - Billy said, rubbing his neck. Unfortunately, the few months were crucial for his ag career, with pns like learning to drive, the summer ic season, and the castings he had promised to participate in.

  He saw a frown crease on Teacher Susan's face as she gowards the wings where the stagehands were still ing up the mess left by the ag course and the music club.

  -Are you sure, Billy? You could work on the py we're presenting in June, July, and August. It's an iing opportunity for prospects, and you'll meet people who might offer you other roles. With your skills and appeara's almost certain, - Susan said.

  -I'm sorry, teacher, but I have a busy few months ahead. I don't think I it to three months of theater. However, I make time to e watch your performances wheime es, t on that, - Billy replied.

  -We'll be perf in three theaters, and all the dates are on the brochures. I regret that you won't be part of the group, - Susan said, walking a short distah Billy to hand him a flyer for "The Sailor from Maine," a small booklet with some dates and names on the cover.

  -It's a shame, - Susan said aloud.

  Billy knew he had many tasks to plete this year, and time was running out. The ic book publication was going to be a highlight, along with the release of video games for the year. Most importantly, his work on animation for the movie would be the culmination once he had enough moo hire people for the soundtrack, songs, and dubbing. The editor, could probably find a good one among the folks at Pixar.

  -I regret it too. Thank you for the invitation; I won't hesitate to e. Perhaps I'll bring you a gift, teacher. Don't doubt my words. I'm gd you sider me part of the theater produ, - Billy said with warmth.

  -Good luck, Billy, - Susan said, returning to her usual cheerfulness.

  -Goodbye, teacher, - Billy said, bidding farewell to the teacher who had been teag him important things about how to act.

  Billy exited the theater through the main stairs, passing by the audience seats. The rge door led him out to the front of the building, where he could see the parking lot. The afternoon shone brightly with the scorg sun above, and the feeling of closeness prompted Billy to shield his eyes from the sun's refle on his face.

  He walked to the parking lot and found Raimon's old Ford, a worn-out vintage model. In the fro, Raimon was enjoying some hamburgers, with french fries on the passenger seat and a soda between his legs. Fortunately, they had chosen to eat at T-Box Burgers, and Raimon looked quite happy as he ate hamburgers while sharing some papers. He had three hamburgers and two baskets of fries.

  -Biliph, - Raimon said with his mouth full of food, gesturing with his free hand for Billy to get in.

  -How did your final presentation go? - Raimon asked.

  -Everythi well, - Billy replied.

  -Anne sends her greetings and hopes you'll behave yourself in the hree days, - Raimon said.

  -Dad said something?" Billy inquired.

  -Absolutely nothing, but Anne ordered me to e here as soon as possible. They don't need me in the game room, - Raimon chuckled. - Have some; I got you two ba and pink sauce burgers. -

  -Thanks, - Billy said, uning the burger. His stomach had been rumbling for some time, but the evening performance had stolen his attention.

  -Did you talk to your professors? - Billy asked.

  -Yes, I did. You have an appoi hursday with the uy's director. It's a somewhat unusual procedure, but we're talking about Billy Carson, - Raimon said.

  -What you tell me about Stanford? Were the years good? - Billy asked.

  -I had fabulous years; it was fun. I met like-minded people, made friends I hought I'd get, had a great time, and was reized for my intellect. You know, I thought school was b, and being smart was a ticket to beied all my life. But in college, that ged. They started reizing me as a funal and brilliant person. Even many girls were ied i's just that you have so much talent for creating your ics that I don't think you o supplement it with a business degree. It's enough that you get good advice, - Raimon said.

  -Tell that to my father, - Billy replied, taking a bite of his burger, with the pink sauce dripping down his . The juiess of the burger was delicious.

  -Well, I uand what it's like to have a strict father, - Raimon said, making a satisfied sound as he finished a bite of his burger.

  The car started with some effort, and the r engine of the car made itent bursts of noise.

  -I uand, but I have to make the necessary moves to get them off my back. Don't you think that after a reje letter, my father would fet about the uy for a while, enough to enroll me year? - Billy said.

  -Yes, that sounds logical. I've already made the necessary calls. My director took it somewhat as a joke that my boss would apply to the uy semester. He's a pretty grumpy man, but he has a weakness for outstanding students. I told him to just take a look at your resume, and he didn't hesitate to call. If there's anything they love more than an intelligent person, it's a successful one, - Raimon said.

  Starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot, the afternoon had faded, and the night was more evident in the surroundings.

  -That's iing. I hope to meet the director, just as you told him, - Billy said, pausing.

  -Are you all set to go? This time, we're heading to New York, - Billy said.

  -Of course, I've got everything ready. The luggage is irunk. The flight departs in four hours, and, unfortunately for us, there were only tickets for midnight,- Raimon said.

  -Bad luck for us,- Billy remarked.

  -It is, although I'd say it's a positive point. Last time, I nearly had a heart attack, and we almost missed the pne,- Raimon said.

  -Hahahaha, - Billy ughed.

  He reached for the sed burger brought by Raimon. The event Mike Richardson had mentioned had given him a feeling of both excitement and ay. Meeting all the great ic book writers and some corresponding figures in the industry was a big deal.

  -It's not funny, - Raimon said.

  -It is. Don't worry too much. lenty of time, and the meeting is tomorrow at noon, - Billy said.

  -I know that. I have all the notes in my head. I knoill attend the event and who won't. I even brought some ics to get some special signatures for my ic colle, - Raimon said.

  -I hope you won't make them sign your collectible Spider-Man slippers, - Billy joked.

  -Well, it's not necessary. I have some good id posters that are more than enough to get signed, - Raimon replied.

  He adjusted the gear lever and drove off.

  ...